it saddens my heart to hear such a thing. My eyes are full of tears just imagining what Jonathan may have endured. He could have been reaching out in so many ways prior to this incident only to know that his agony and pain went unnoticed or disguise, but God beheld what Jonathan endured and so rest assure that he will be with the Lord.R.I.P. Jonathan; you will be missed.

It is a very sad today when ever time you look at television or the paper you are seeing God Childrens abused and seem that no one has notice the tears these and may children like Jonathan are crying out. We as parents friends and citizens must pay more attention and stop being so caught up on self,take time out to ask children that you com ein contact with how they are doing are what is it in life that they want o achieve the smallest jesture of concern can open the door to a child that feels that there is no way out or there is no one who cares they sometime just want to be noticed . My heart and my Prayers goes out to all that knew and loved Jonathan , and I know God will be with you

In knowing this family personally and for manys fews, I am feel qualified to say "it's not what it looks like or even what the police and media say it is". We are talk about God, but do we really live by His words. The bible says if you spare the rod the child will become spoiled and if you don't beat them, you hate them. The Potts children are not neglected or abused, but raised in the fair and admonition of God. The bible also says for children to obey their parents so that their days upon this earth may be lengthened. What taken place is tragic for both Jonathan and the Potts family as a whole, but at the same time, God is soveriegn. He makes no mistakes. In Jonathan's rebellion, skipping school and wanting to be hardcore (oh yes, gangs members will beat you up when you want out), I deem this much less tragic than what Satan had in store for him. The devil comes to steal, kill and to destroy, but as far as I am concerned, God gave Jonathan new life more abundantly. Finally, please use and choose your words with caution, especially when talking after talebearers. We should know not to believe everything that the media has to say. Please read in the 3rd chapter of James. In the book of Proverbs you will read that one the things that God despises the most are feet that are quick to shed innocent blood. I not only speak of God... I know Him!

Jones, you have got to be kidding me! It is not God's plan for some Dad to beat his child until he finally dies. It is not God's plan for a child to be beaten with an extension cord either. I'm not sure what God you know, but I am sure he never meant for his children to be abused to death by their very own parent. There is no excuse for this poor example of a parent. He obviously had no control of himself. He should be charged with the harshest crime out there for this particular case and given the death penalty.

Why is no one asking what the kid did to deserve the beating? He very well may have provoked it. Kids are like that.

Information I have received is the child came home at 1:30am. What is a 12yr old doing out then I have no idea. There is a history of problems with the child, but no excuse to cover a beating death at the hands of a parent. Remains to be seen if charges are brought up against the mother as well. She was there when it happened.

Jones I agree with you. What God does she serve. Because the God I serve was not behind that type of abuse to a child. Yes, I've heard the saying, "spare the rod", "spoil the child", but we are in a new millenium now, and if that dad took out time to think,you don't whip a child while you're angry anyway, let alone with an extension cord? That proves that he knew nothing about how to discipline his child. Also if his child was coming in the home at 1:30 am then that already speaks for what type of parent he was. Sounds to me as if Jonathan was craving for some love and attention. I have raised 4 children and not one of my childen have ever come home past their curfew at 12yrs old. And for his son to had been participating in gang activities then it doesn't sound like the parents were using their biblical studies with their child. Were they just going to church and leaving their son at home? Because it doesn't sound like they were paying enough attention to Jonathan at all. Because if they were then why did he want to join gang in the first place. So don't give me that bull, both the father and mother needs to pay for the pain that they caused their 12 year old. Especially the mother because what mother just stand there and allow anybody to just continuously beat their own child. And besides, who would let a child that young get out of control in the first place. they should have seen that coming and got some help before it got to that point. So yes I agree, the dad was out of control himself and he needs to pay for it.

One thing I will not do is get into a debate with you are anyone else here about this. However, I will say that I know this family and have known Jonathon all of his life. His father DID NOT cause his death. To answer your question about the God that I serve, worship and honor... He is the KING OF GLORY! When the evidence that the media has not told surfaces and Mr. Potts is exonerated, let's see how foolish you feel in talking what you don't even know. I mean miss me with that, and while you are doing it.... READ YOUR BIBLE!!!! Grace and peace!!!!

How blessed you are to have had and raised angels. I rejoice and praise God with you in that, because we are living in the last days where the bible says that it will be sons against fathers and fathers against son. This is a fulfillment of prophecy. It does not matter how good of a parent you are and how you keep your kids in church sometimes the peer pressure over ruled what we try to do in raising our kids the proper way. Let's admit it... things are different today than they were when we raised. We did not have gangs to threatened us into becoming a part of them and jumping us to get out. Even today our kids try to fight us if we come down too hard on them. I have a cousin who is a minister and so is his wife. They are excellent God fearing parents who raised their kids in the church and teaches them to be wholesome and have a equally balance, but the have one 14 year-old son that refuses to right. He did not become this way until about 2 years ago. He skips school, lies, tries to smoke and even tries to get in his parents face when they try to correct him. IF this man is guilty of his son's death then he needs to pay, but I agree with Jones that we shouldn't take the news at face value. They are known to get things twisted. Instead of judging this father and his family, can we just pray for them and other families that may be going through the same thing. Only God and those who were there know what really happened. All of you be blessed!

One thing I will not do is get into a debate with you are anyone else here about this. However, I will say that I know this family and have known Jonathon all of his life. His father DID NOT cause his death. To answer your question about the God that I serve, worship and honor... He is the KING OF GLORY! When the evidence that the media has not told surfaces and Mr. Potts is exonerated, let's see how foolish you feel in talking what you don't even know. I mean miss me with that, and while you are doing it.... READ YOUR BIBLE!!!! Grace and peace!!!!

Hello Jones....I was raised in a Christian household and I know the word so I get what you are saying. I was just wondering about the gang statement. Was he jumped into or out of a gang that caused the blunt force trama. I was never disiplined with an extention cord but I have several family members that have been and they are fine. An extention cord no matter how brutal people might think it is does not cause these types of injuries. I was just curious as to what caused the blunt force injuries. Please tell them I am praying for the family and praying that the truth comes out of all of this.

How well do you know the family? I am not sure that this type of punishement was warranted. There are lots of kids that are out of control, you may need to try something different. This child at 12 years old was probably scared to come home. Hoping his father wasnt at home, so that he wouldnt get beat. He had scars all over his body, thats not a spanking thats a beating. Spare the Rod spoil the child does not and will never mean beat your child to death. He took I brought you into this world and I will take you out to a whole nother level!!! I am upset and there is just no excuse for a man as big as he is and as small and defenseless as Jonathan was to use that type of abuse. Now you may need to study your bible a little more, because the words you have said are ridiculous!!!

Jones wrote:

In knowing this family personally and for manys fews, I am feel qualified to say "it's not what it looks like or even what the police and media say it is". We are talk about God, but do we really live by His words. The bible says if you spare the rod the child will become spoiled and if you don't beat them, you hate them. The Potts children are not neglected or abused, but raised in the fair and admonition of God. The bible also says for children to obey their parents so that their days upon this earth may be lengthened. What taken place is tragic for both Jonathan and the Potts family as a whole, but at the same time, God is soveriegn. He makes no mistakes. In Jonathan's rebellion, skipping school and wanting to be hardcore (oh yes, gangs members will beat you up when you want out), I deem this much less tragic than what Satan had in store for him. The devil comes to steal, kill and to destroy, but as far as I am concerned, God gave Jonathan new life more abundantly. Finally, please use and choose your words with caution, especially when talking after talebearers. We should know not to believe everything that the media has to say. Please read in the 3rd chapter of James. In the book of Proverbs you will read that one the things that God despises the most are feet that are quick to shed innocent blood. I not only speak of God... I know Him!

I knew the Johnson family very well. The child's aunt and I grew up as best friends (practically as family). I don't know the full story of what happened, but I do know that this family's background is not one that promotes abuse or neglect. They are a very loving and supportive family. I always felt that when I was with them. There's more to the story than what the media is telling or knows to tell. My deepest sympathy and prayers go out to the Johnson-Potts family.

why does everyone keep saying you knew the family very well!!!! uh duh apparently you didn't Jonathan is gone because of the hands of his father! Promotes!!! no one promotes abuse in this case they just allowed it to happen. The media didn't report anything but the facts, and the fact his that this child is no longer here. I can only guess that a person with no children would not understand the magnitude of losing a child. You knew the father and the mother well. Did anyone ever take the time to know jonathan and what he may have been going thru. My son know that his home is a safe haven. What child does not come home especially at 12 years old at 1:00 in the am???....a child that is scared to go home!!!Lets stop overlooking the scars he had on his body was that the media blowing that out of porportion as well! He even said he spanked him! Why wasnt Jonthan in school? Why did the father have to pull over at a gas station? Lets not let another child be succumb to the parents who are clearly out of control when disciplining their children....this is an outrage!!!!!

The father said he gave him a whipping. 20-30 licks! I've raised a boy and when it came time to whip, three licks or maybe even four was plenty. Each one hurt me, as well. How can a man whip his own baby 30 times in one session? He's a monster dad and he deserves to be treated like one. Hang him.

In knowing this family personally and for manys fews, I am feel qualified to say "it's not what it looks like or even what the police and media say it is". We are talk about God, but do we really live by His words. The bible says if you spare the rod the child will become spoiled and if you don't beat them, you hate them. The Potts children are not neglected or abused, but raised in the fair and admonition of God. The bible also says for The children to obey their parents so that their days upon this earth may be lengthened. What taken place is tragic for both Jonathan and the Potts family as a whole, but at the same time, God is soveriegn. He makes no mistakes. In Jonathan's rebellion, skipping school and wanting to be hardcore (oh yes, gangs members will beat you up when you want out), I deem this much less tragic than what Satan had in store for him. The devil comes to steal, kill and to destroy, but as far as I am concerned, God gave Jonathan new life more abundantly. Finally, please use and choose your words with caution, especially when talking after talebearers. We should know not to believe everything that the media has to say. Please read in the 3rd chapter of James. In the book of Proverbs you will read that one the things that God despises the most are feet that are quick to shed innocent blood. I not only speak of God... I know Him!

Lady, One of the Ten Commandments: You shall not murder..That Mother and Father murdered thier son..

One thing I will not do is get into a debate with you are anyone else here about this. However, I will say that I know this family and have known Jonathon all of his life. His father DID NOT cause his death. To answer your question about the God that I serve, worship and honor... He is the KING OF GLORY! When the evidence that the media has not told surfaces and Mr. Potts is exonerated, let's see how foolish you feel in talking what you don't even know. I mean miss me with that, and while you are doing it.... READ YOUR BIBLE!!!! Grace and peace!!!!

<quoted text>I am so glad that you were there, in the house, to witness this murder. Forget a jury and trial; you handle it... JUDGE!!!!!!

While I am not dismissing the fact that a childs life has been taken. Whether it was by the hand of his father or by the hand of a gang. I too live in Desoto and my child goes to the same school, and I have recently learned that my son is/was being recruited for a gang, or gang related Activity. I just withdrew my child from this school. This thing is real, and I do agree that the media will crucify you before they have all the facts. If you notice the media will never go back and correct their story, they just tell a new one.

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